15 Low Cost Ways to Beat Stress

Emotional spending and expensive junk food binges -- budget busters -- are often triggered by stress. Here are a few ideas for diminishing stress without spending a lot of money.

1. Cup of tea

A hot cup of tea is a low-calorie comfort food. Additionally, the process of fixing a cup of tea is a ritual that can halt negative worry cycles. Even sipping coffee can have a calming effect. A Harvard study about coffee drinking habits is quoted in a February 2008 issue of Woman's World magazine. The survey findings: coffee drinkers are "less likely to be seriously depressed than non-coffee drinkers," according to Woman's World.

2. Repetitive Activities

Sewing, knitting, puzzle solving are a few activities that lower blood pressure and liberate us from the stress chamber. Boggle, jigsaw puzzles and other problem-solving puzzles can provide short-term relief from anxieties. Sometimes, I stumble upon the answer to a pressing problem while tinkering around with a puzzle or a word game.

3. Housekeeping

Washing dishes, sweeping the floor and other house-cleaning chores release pressure. Ironing out wrinkles from a shirt or skirt can also release tension. Cleaning can be a form of meditation. Deleting email files also has a soothing effect.

4. Music break

Classical music, in particular, can be very calming, according to Woman's World magazine: "Oxford University scientists say listening [to classical music] can decrease your heartbeat to a meditative, relaxing rate almost instantly."

5. Write

Picking up a pen to write a letter, a journal entry or a short note may help to break the negative spin cycle.

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Just close your eyes and focus on your breath for five minutes. Imagine a cool flow of blue water enter the top of your head and travel all the way to your toes on the inhale, then exhale the water as it cleanses your impurities. Helps relax you and helps break the cycle since you are focusing on something else (your breath and the imagery.

Play with your pets, or your children.

Add some Yoga to your exercise routine.

Enjoy some intimate time with your significant other.

Learn some basic accupressure points by searching the internet. Massage those points to help unblock any stuck flow of energy.